|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Aaron Cormican WINS in pumping overhead surf at the 1st Annual Pabst Blue Ribbon Pro Jacksonville The first annual PBR PRO went on this past Thursday and Friday at the Jacksonville Beach, Pier. The event was limited to 64 contestants with a $10,000 cash purse! Needless to say the best of the best surfers were in attendance. With a solid 3-5 ft E/NE swell and names like Bryan Hewitson, Asher Nolan, Adam Wickwire, Aaron Cormican and fresh off a plane from Hawaii Gabe Kling, the stage was set for an amazing event! Due to 10K on the line and the talent packed line-up, any one of the early round heats could have easily been mistaken for an insane final. All day Thursday we saw tons of early upsets along with some incredible surfing as competitors battled their way through into the second day’s money rounds. Friday morning started off with howling SE winds and monsoonal rain. The waves had almost doubled in size and there was a strong drift ripping right through the pier. The contest was off for the morning with the next call at 12 noon. After studying the local weather channels it looked like we could have a glimmer of hope for the afternoon. Spirits were optimistic and everyone was hoping for the best. When lunchtime rolled around and everyone arrived at the scene there was no doubt that the contest was on! The weather had cleared and the waves started pumping with solid overhead sets coming through on the outside sandbar. All the boys were ripping but Asher, Hewy, and Cormican were starting to make there intentions clear as they dominated heat after heat. By the time the semi's rolled around the sun was out and the beach and pier were both packed with spectators, photographers and news stations all coming out to witness the big show in solid surf.
Semi #1 saw Hewitson and Cormican taking out Gabe Kling and Brady McKenzie with huge hacks by Hewitson and gravity defying airs by Cormican. Semi #2 saw Blake Jones, Justin Jones, Asher Nolan, and Jeremy Johnson going to war in the solid surf. It was a close heat but Asher and Blake came out victorious and moved on to the final. By 5pm the surf was still going off and the final was set. Asher Nolan, Blake Jones, Aaron Cormican, and Bryan Hewitson were set to do battle for the $4,000 first prize check, plus an executive VIP NASCAR 500 package presented by Redbull and of course a cold case of Pabst Blue Ribbon. As the opening buzzer blew Asher and Cormican got right to work taking off on some overhead bombs right next to the Pier. Hewitson and Jones stayed just to the south waiting for the peak that had been supplying them with head high walls all day long. The final was tight with all of the competitors getting amazing waves, but when the dust settled it was Aaron Cormican walking away with the first place trophy. PBR PRO proudly presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon, GHive.com, SurfJaxPier.com & Landshark Cafe. A big thank you to all of our sponsors for helping make this event happen: Aqua East surf shop, Sunrise surf shop, O'neill, Smith Optics, Mellow Mushroom, Kechele Surfboards, Cannibal Surfboards, Vestal Watches, Sector 9, Donovan Heat and Air, Tragic clothing, and Paco's Mexican Grille.
RESULTS: A huge and very special thanks to contest directors Jay Dodson and Mike Sasser for helping put on this sick event, this could not have happened without their hard work and leadership. We would also like to thank ALL of our staff and volunteers for the PBR PRO. Thank you so much and we will see you next year! Surfing Magazine Eastern Surf Magazine And of course, thanks to all of our sponsors!
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, click here to learn more. |
||||
 |
| © 2009 GHive, Inc. |